CPU Comparison

Intel Core i5-9500T vs Core i7-6785R

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-9500T is a low-power, enterprise-focused desktop processor designed for small form factor business PCs and compact workstations, featuring a 35W TDP and vPro support.

Top pick
Intel · Core i5
Intel Core i5-9500T
6C / 6T3.7 GHz35 W
8
Full review
Intel · 6th Generation Core i7
Core i7-6785R
4C / 8T3.9 GHz65 W
7.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Desktop
Desktop
Segment
Desktop (Low Power)
BGA Desktop
Generation
Core i5 (Coffee Lake Refresh)
6th Gen
Launched
2018
2016
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Coffee Lake
Skylake-R
Series
Core i5
6th Generation Core i7
Family
9th Generation (Coffee Lake Refresh)
Skylake-R
Predecessor
Intel Core i5-8500T
Core i7-5775R
Successor
Intel Core i5-10500T
N/A

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
6
4
Threads
6
8
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
3.3 GHz
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
3.9 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
9 MB
8 MB
TDP
35 W
65 W
Architecture
Architecture
Coffee Lake
Skylake-R
Process Node
14 nm
14nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR4
DDR4, DDR3L
Memory Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-2133, DDR3L-1600
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
128 GB
64 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel Socket 1151
Intel BGA 1440
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i5-9500T82

Excellent for office environments, large spreadsheets, and heavy web browsing.

Core i7-6785R

Gaming

Intel Core i5-9500T50

Not intended for gaming; integrated graphics can handle basic 2D and very light 3D apps.

Core i7-6785R

Virtualization

Intel Core i5-9500T70

vPro and VT-x support make it highly capable for enterprise VDI setups.

Core i7-6785R

Efficiency

Intel Core i5-9500T98

Outstanding power efficiency; runs exceptionally cool.

Core i7-6785R

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i5-9500TNot Recommended
  • No AI acceleration hardware
  • Low power limits prevent sustained AI workloads
Core i7-6785R

No data

Content Creation

Intel Core i5-9500TBasic
Office ApplicationsBasic Photo Editing
Core i7-6785R

No data

Gaming

Intel Core i5-9500TPoor
  • UHD 630 is only for display output or very old games
  • Not designed for 3D gaming workloads
  • Low base clock hinders gaming performance
Core i7-6785R

No data

Industry Impact

Gaming
None
Low
Workstations
Moderate
Low
Content Creation
Low
Low
Virtualization
High
Low

Best CPU by Use Case

Business Productivity
Excellent
Digital Signage
Excellent
Remote Workstations
Excellent
Light Virtualization
Good
Web Kiosks
Excellent
Compact Media PC
Excellent
Light 1080p Gaming
Good

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i5-9500T

Pros

  • Strict 35W TDP (configurable to 25W)
  • Intel vPro support for enterprise management
  • 6 physical cores for multitasking
  • Integrated UHD Graphics 630
  • Runs exceptionally cool and quiet

Cons

  • Low base clock of 2.2 GHz
  • Locked multiplier
  • Expensive compared to consumer i5 parts
  • No Hyper-Threading
  • End-of-life platform
Core i7-6785R

Pros

  • Powerful Iris Pro 580 integrated graphics
  • 128MB eDRAM boosts CPU and GPU performance
  • Low 65W TDP
  • Good 3.9 GHz single-core performance

Cons

  • Soldered BGA package (cannot be upgraded)
  • Hard to source for consumers
  • Only 4 cores
  • Older 14nm process

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i5-9500T

Core i7-6785R

Our Verdict on Each

An excellent low-power processor for enterprise environments. The 35W TDP and vPro support make it ideal for compact, managed office PCs.

Best for: Building a silent home server, pfSense router, or compact enterprise PC where vPro and 35W TDP are required.

Read the full review
Core i7-6785RSituational

A unique BGA desktop CPU with exceptional integrated graphics for its era. Perfect for small form factor builds where a discrete GPU isn't possible.

Best for: Buying a used NUC or AIO with this chip pre-installed

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i5-9500T or Core i7-6785R?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-9500T comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.

Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-9500T or Core i7-6785R?

For gaming, the Intel Core i5-9500T leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core i5-9500T and Core i7-6785R.

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i5-9500T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-9500T (35 W), Core i7-6785R (65 W).

Do Intel Core i5-9500T and Core i7-6785R use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-9500T: Intel Socket 1151, Core i7-6785R: Intel BGA 1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which has more cores?

The Intel Core i5-9500T has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-9500T (6 cores), Core i7-6785R (4 cores).

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Core i7-6785R posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-6785R (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.